Three landmark tower blocks in Glasgow’s Wyndford estate have been demolished in seconds as part of a major regeneration project aimed at replacing outdated housing with 386 new affordable homes.
The 26-storey buildings on Wyndford Road in the Maryhill area were brought down using controlled explosions early Sunday morning, dramatically reshaping the skyline of northern Glasgow. A fourth tower is set to be taken down in a separate phase using a piece-by-piece dismantling method.
Hundreds of nearby residents were temporarily evacuated for safety during the demolition, with an exclusion zone established and support offered at a local secondary school.
Wyndford Regeneration Plan to Deliver Affordable Housing
The Wyndford estate, built in the 1960s on the former site of the Glasgow City barracks, was once home to around 6,000 people. The estate included four 26-storey high-rise buildings and several smaller blocks.
Although some local residents campaigned to retrofit the flats rather than demolish them, housing association Wheatley Homes insisted the buildings were no longer fit for modern living standards. The redevelopment will see the original 600 flats replaced with 386 energy-efficient, affordable homes.
In addition to housing, the masterplan includes a new community hub featuring a hall, café, meeting rooms, and access to computers.
Residents Evacuated During Controlled Demolition
As part of safety procedures, residents living near the demolition site were evacuated Sunday morning. St Gregory’s Catholic Church, located nearby, had its stained glass windows protected and moved its regular service to a nearby parish.
Evacuated residents were offered breakfast and lunch at the designated evacuation centre and received £100 Tesco gift vouchers. Local authorities also implemented misting systems to reduce dust and advised residents to close windows, keep pets indoors, and protect fish ponds or hutches.
Health Guidance and Clean-Up Measures
Residents with respiratory conditions were advised to avoid the area during the blast and immediate aftermath. Clean-up operations involving jet washing and street sweeping began shortly after the towers came down.
The fourth and final tower block will be dismantled gradually in the coming weeks to complete the transformation of the Wyndford estate into a modern, community-focused residential area.
